Renewable energy is often seen as unwieldy or unreliable, but progress in climate-friendly tech suggests it could actually be more convenient. TEGs, or thermoelectric generators, can convert heat to electrical energy—and as a result, even body heat could be used to power small wearable electronic devices.
Unlike old TEGs which are rigid, the ones revealed in this study from Science Advances “can be bent without affecting power output.” They’re flexible and stretchy, which makes them practical tech for people to actually wear on their bodies.
Modeled after human skin, this kind of electronic skin, or e-skin is self-healing when damaged and has never before been combined with TEG power. Liquid metal and high-performance plastic allow pieces to connect like Legos, making the technology customizable.
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